The Metropolitan Police are reviewing footage that shows Dame Helen Mirren being subjected to antisemitic verbal abuse by a man in the street, as they investigate the incident as a possible hate crime.
Footage circulating on social media depicts the 80-year-old British actress walking along a street in Tower Hill, London, with her husband, American film director Taylor Hackford. The video, filmed last year, shows Dame Helen smiling and greeting the man filming, asking if he is okay. However, he then launches into a tirade, swearing at her over her support for Israel.
In the video, the man says: 'And there is Helen Mirren the avowed Zionist. You said Israel should last forever because of the Holocaust. And she was very happy the Palestinians’ houses were gone. You are an evil Zionist bitch. And you (Hackford) as well, f*** you as well.' Dame Helen’s husband then intervenes, telling the man to 'f*** off' and leave them alone several times.
The clip was first posted by an anonymous account called Anti-Fascist Action UK. The Met have now confirmed they are trying to contact the actress to see if she wishes to report the incident formally.
In a statement, a Met spokesperson said: 'We are aware of a video circulating online, showing a man and a woman being subjected to antisemitic verbal abuse in Tower Hill. It is believed that the incident took place at the end of last year. Officers are currently reviewing the footage and making attempts to contact the victims to establish whether they would like to report the incident.'
The spokesperson added: 'The Met continues to work hard to tackle hate crimes of all types and officers across London have made more than 90 hate crime arrests since the end of March. If you believe you have been a victim of this type of crime please report it to us by calling 101 or making an online report.'
Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick expressed his disgust at the footage, telling LBC: 'I was disgusted by it, but antisemitism is unfortunately rife, and nobody who is either Jewish or has voiced support for the British Jewish community should be being harassed on the streets of our country. It’s not just antisemitism, it’s anti-British. Everyone should be able to walk the streets of our country in safety, free from harassment.'
Dame Helen, who is not Jewish, has long been a vocal advocate for Israel. Last month, she signed an open letter alongside fellow stars including Boy George and Sharon Osbourne pledging support for Israel’s inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest. Throughout her career, she has played several well-known Jewish figures, including Maria Altmann in Woman In Gold and former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir in the 2023 film Golda.
While promoting Golda, she said: 'I believe in Israel, in the existence of Israel, and I believe Israel has to go forward into the future, for the rest of eternity. I believe in Israel because of the Holocaust.' The actress first visited Israel in 1967 not long after the Six-Day War, where she volunteered on Kibbutz HaOn near the Sea of Galilee.
She has previously criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing his leadership style as 'male' and disliking it. In 2023, she described protests against him as a 'pivotal moment in Israeli history', saying: 'I’m personally very moved and excited when you see these huge demonstrations.'
Earlier this year, comedian Matt Lucas was harassed by a pro-Palestinian activist on the Tube, who filmed him while shouting 'Free Palestine' and calling him a 'Zionist'. The Press Association has contacted representatives for Dame Helen Mirren and Taylor Hackford for comment.
